text:
I'll admit that I tend to have a playful spirit when it comes to those I know well.
That is never more true than when I am interacting with The Mister.
I always enjoy teasing him, especially when he is unable to reciprocate.
For example, last night as he was washing dishes--with his soapy hands washing bits of scrambled egg from the pan, I walked passed him and gave his rump a little smack, a bit harder than I had intended.
"You think you can spank me and get away with it?" he asks.
"Uh... yup." I say (from across the room) with an impish grin.
Then I boldly add, "I can spank who I want, when I want."
"Oh yeah?" he says, calmly.
"Can you spank Brad Pitt?" he asks like he knows he's stumped me.
I start to giggle thinking about spanking Brad Pitt.
He starts to laugh like its the funniest thing he's said all week.
Still makes me laugh.
It reminds me of this post when the kids revealed something about The Mister and I that was a bit revealing....No wonder they think the things they do!
Let's change the subject...how about a recipe?
This is a recipe my dear friend Jen with One N made for our Mom's Group retreat back in the Texas Days...love this recipe, but those girls? Love them WAY more!
Creme Brulee French Toast
1 stick unsalted butter (if using salted butter omit salt below)
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tbls corn syrup
8-9 inch loaf of french bread --sliced into 1"-1.5" slices
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups Half-in-Half cream
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp Grand Marnier (optional)
IN a small sauce pan melt butter , brown sugar and corn syrup over med. heat, stirring until smooth. Pour into a greased (BE SURE TO GREASE THE PAN!) 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Place six- eight slices of bread in one layer, squeezing to fit, into the pan (on top of caramel mixture).
Whisk together eggs, creamer, vanilla salt and GM in a bowl. Pour over bread, cover and place in the fridge for at least 8 hours up to one day. I usually make this the afternoon or evening before I want to serve it.
Place in the oven uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Serve with strawberries and whip cream for extra fanciness.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Conversation with The Mister
I'll admit that I tend to have a playful spirit when it comes to those I know well.
Posted by Unknown at 9:03 AM 15 comments Links to this post
Labels: everyday life, recipe
Thursday, February 25, 2010
CountDown to 1000: Marital Changes
I'm counting down to my 1000 posts by pulling things out of the draft folder...
This post was written on 2/12/08.
As a means of informing you on the details of this big change in our marriage I must make a confession:
I am a middle of the tube squeezer. The Mister is a bottom-to-top squeezer.
The rest is self explanatory.
After almost 13 years of marriage, and much talk and consideration, The Mister and I have decided to make a change.
We have decided that we can no longer share.....one tube of toothpaste.
Posted by Unknown at 9:21 AM 11 comments Links to this post
Labels: Count down to 1000
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
CountDown to 1000: Full Moon
Sometime next week I will be celebrating my 1000th post here at La Vida Dulce.
When I do finally get there, I will be giving away a few prizes...
I had thought it would be this week but I realized I have many posts in my Draft File that pad my queue.
As I was going through the file, I realized that I have a tendency to write things, send them to the draft file and forget about them.
So, in an attempt to get to the 1000th post I think I will pull what I've got and without editing (too much) just for fun.
This post was originally written on 2/22/08, when we lived in AZ. My sister-in-love and I were walking together a couple times a week. I miss those walks....
Then later, around 7:20ish, I looked outside our kitchen window and saw the moon hanging so close to our home that I thought I might be able to touch it. It was amazing. I had to try to take a picture.
Although, I have to confess, that since I have two amazing, real-life, photographers reading the blog, I am a little nervous with my amateur-auto-focus ways.
But that's OK. I kill plants too.
Posted by Unknown at 7:32 AM 12 comments Links to this post
Labels: Count down to 1000
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
2. So grateful for good books and the time to read them.
3. I'm grateful for music. Lately I've been playing JJ Heller's "Your Hand's" and "Invisible Love" on a loop on my iPod.
4. I'm grateful for good health and a strong body. I went running this morning for the first time in a month. The weather has been too cold for out door running. It was hard, but I am grateful for Strength in weakness.
5. I am grateful for good news I received this week.
6. I am thankful that we are on the cusp of spring. There may be a few cold snaps here and there, but spring will come....and in North Carolina its worth the cold slumber of winter for the breathtaking beauty of spring.
7. I am thankful for kids who enjoy reading...even though sometimes they read when they should be doing other things....like chores, or getting ready for basketball, or when its time to go to bed.
8. I am glad that I am finally finished reading Leviticus.
9. I am glad that ladies bible study is tonight and that I get to spend the evening with my friends.
10. I am thankful for you. I love the doors of friendship that this blog has opened up. I hope that this afternoon will lend itself some time to catch up on the blog reader (and maybe Facebook too?)! I feel a little out of touch!
What about you? What are you glad about/thankful for today?
Posted by Unknown at 8:30 AM 5 comments Links to this post
Labels: Gladitude
Monday, February 22, 2010
Random..and maybe a bit off color
I needn't say more.
But I will.
The Monday after a weeks worth of vacation is bigger than the average bear. Much more difficult to fight.
So for today's post I give you five random points.
1. I am officially fasting from Girl Scouts cookies. Actually, it will be easy. I think if I see another Thin Mint, I might hurl. And cookie season isn't quite half-way over. (As a side note: This aversion will pass. I have a long-time weakness for the Thin Mint, and my freezer is stocked.)
2. Tomorrow is Australia Day at Girl Scouts. I've been asked to bring my guitar and play Australian songs...So far I have Kookaburra and Waltzing Matilda (and can I just say I am so very glad for the internet? I've only known the chorus to that song, but as of this afternoon, I now know the verses (and tune!)) Caz, I would love your expertise here!
3. You may have noticed Gretchens beautiful raspberry hat in the pictures from Saturday. The CarpoolQueen made one here, and then made another as a welcome-to-NC gift for Gretchen.
Not wanting to be left out of the Cool Hat Club I decided to make one too.
4. I made that hat while listening to Leviticus on The Bible Experience CD's. If you hear nothing else, please hear this....The Bible Experience is awesome. We received this as a gift from my sister-in-law several years ago and I have used it at least once a week, both for personal listening and for homeschooling. If you are trying to read through the Bible in a Year and the book of Leviticus makes you want to stick a fork in your eye, the CD's a amazing....its worth the price just for Leviticus, but all the other books are so well done too!
So I got through Leviticus with a new hat to show for it...not a bad afternoon.
5. I mentioned that The Mister was in California last week for a work conference. Any time he goes away he will usually come home with a very large coffee cup for my collection. I look forward and anticipate this gift each time he comes home.
After he had been gone for five days, he walked in on Saturday night and handed me my present all wrapped with bubble wrap. He says, "It's not as big as I wanted it to be, but when I saw it I knew I had to get it... its given in all love and sincerity."
Still makes me giggle.
Posted by Unknown at 4:02 PM 17 comments Links to this post
Labels: Just another manic monday
Saturday, February 20, 2010
All I Have To Bring Today
Next week I hope to get back to regular and consistent blogging.
This week has been wonderfully full.
Gretchen and I had an amazing visit. The Mister was in San Diego all week, so it was doubly nice to have her company!
I also got to hang out with my favorite Carpoolqueen and my Carolina Gals-- some bloggers, some not. (And not all pictured!)
I would love to go into detail, but the brain and the heart aren't quite connected at the moment...and the lack of sleep this week doesn't help!
So I leave you with this poem by Emily Dickinson, because the meadow-size blessing of friendship overwhelms me.
Posted by Unknown at 3:38 PM 9 comments Links to this post
Monday, February 15, 2010
Weekend Recap
Happy belated Valentines Day, friends!
Whew! Between last Saturday and this weekend its been a whirlwind.
The Mister and The Girl had the Girl Scout Daddy/Daughter Dance. We had basketball games and birthday parties.
We had snow.
We had orthodontist appointments and research for our State Reports ....The Boy is studying Hawaii, The Girl is studying Kentucky. (If I have any readers from either state, or if you are originally from that state, tell me something you LOVE about your state!)...so we've been to the library several times.
I also had to shop for a good-bye gift for The Boys basketball coach who is being deployed.
This week was cookie pick-up.
So we helped the Cookie Mom (who is a SAINT!) pick up, transfer, sort, and distribute cookies.
We had more basketball games. And a goodbye pizza party for the coach.
We had snow (again).
We sorted our order of cookies and got them ready for delivery.
We watched the Olympics.
We finished reading Percy Jackson: The Lightening Thief, just in time to take the kids to a matinee. In strange turn of event we all thought the movie was better than the book.
For Valentines day I woke the kids up, gave them the same thing I give them every year: A giant Hershey Kiss. And told them to hurry up and get ready for church.
Later that afternoon The Mister gave me my gift...we read in our bed together while sipping Mt.Dew (him) and Diet Dr. Pepper (me) and shared a bowl of CheezIts.
Back in the day, when we were first married, he used to really hate it when I would read in bed while eating a "crumby" snack. He said I would leave crumbs on his side of the bed. I plead the fifth.
But, yesterday afternoon, for the first time in nearly 15 years, he ate crackers in bed with me.
Friends, THAT is love.
Speaking of reading in bed....
I finally got The Help by K. Stockett. Six weeks ago I was number 253 on the Hold List at the library. You can imagine how surpised I was to get the call that my book was in! I'm only on Chapter 4, but ya'll, its good.
So my week has been full, but not as full as this week.
As I type Ms. Jewels in My Crown, Someday Gretchen is on her way to my house. Tonight, I will break enchiladas with her and the Carpoolqueen, and I am giddy with excitement.
So if you don't hear too much from me this week...that's the reason!
Happy Monday!
Posted by Unknown at 8:43 AM 16 comments Links to this post
Labels: friends, Silly Things I Do
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Out of the Mouth of Babes
Last night we were talking about the concept of "time".
The Mister was discussing the history of time and he mentioned that long ago, before there were watches and clocks, people would make appointments by using different sun-based phrases.
He explained there wasn't a wrist watch to look at while you casually asked a friend to come over for lunch at 12:45p. Instead one might say, "come on over around mid-day."
"Oh!" The Girl says, with a look of sudden clarity.
"Is that what you and mom had to do when you were kids?"
No, sweetie, by then we had a sun dial.
Posted by Unknown at 1:41 PM 13 comments Links to this post
Labels: kids keep you humble
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
The Flip
I have spent the last few afternoons weaving in and out of nostalgia.
Back in the day my brothers and I used to spend quite a bit of time with this machine, pretending to be news anchors reporting crazy news and making various childish noises.
I can vividly remember laying on the golden plush carpet of the formal living room, pushing the rewind button over and over, while listening and laughing with my brothers. Sometimes we laughed so hard I thought my head would split.
Oh, we thought we were the funniest things ever.
Apparently, its hereditary.
Last week The Girl received a Flip Video Camera for her birthday.
She has begged me for a video camera for over a year now.
You can imagine her excitement when her new pink colored camera arrived.
And I?
I am enjoying the laughter she and her brother make as they "make movies" using silly faces and crazy noises, then quickly huddle over the small screen to see what they've made. Laughing heart-fully.
They were making movies outside yesterday and running back into the house every 15 minutes or so to come show me how hysterical their cinematic masterpieces were unfolding...
Truth be told, they're about as funny as the audio tapes my brothers and I made... but the laughter... I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Posted by Unknown at 5:04 PM 15 comments Links to this post
Labels: daily living, kids, things I love
Monday, February 08, 2010
Humble Places
I've been thinking a lot about humble places.
Mostly because I'm living in them.
Like most of us, I dream of greatness. I desire to be known. To do something big!
Yet, the lines for me have fallen in humble places.
At first it was difficult.
Pride and ego are hard to set aside.
Yet, the burden is in the holding, not in the letting go.
What do I mean by humble places?
Well, in all I have ever done, from tap dancing to mothering to bible teaching (and all things in between), I've always wanted to be the star.
I've done all these things with joy and love and passion. Because I was certain I could do them, or at least fake my way through.
Until I was called to homeschool.
The Artsy One, called to do something that she never really liked: school.
Homeschool is a place where no one sees what you do. (Other than your biological students, and they don't really count.)
No one tells you how awesome you sound... or how cute you're dressed... or how the subjects chosen were thrilling. They don't let you know that the history book you assigned, or the words you spoke, really moved them. Some days you wonder if all your effort is making one iota difference in there young lives.
No one tells you that your doing well, or what a great teacher you are, or how amazing it is that you are able to accomplish so much in a day.
As a matter of fact, many people will think you're weird, or too religious, or that you're actually harming your kids.
Others will say, "I could never do that!", and, "I could never be organized like that.", or "That's a lifestyle that isn't for me."---when what they really mean is: I'm scared I might become weird too.
How do I know these things?
Because once upon a time, before I was a homeschooler, I thought and said those things.
Out loud.
On more than one occasion.
To more than one homeschooling mom.
On the Daniel Safari this week we are focusing on:
We were asked to write about this question:
The truth is that I am still very much here, in my humbling experience. Where every-blessed-day, I lay down my own agenda...I choose to be content with what I have, and where I am. I close my ears to those who are opinionatedly verbal, who don't know, or don't want to know, why we are on this homeschooling road.
I'm learning that this center-stage girl is really OK with working behind-the-scenes.
In fact, I've grown to love the ways the Lord works through me when no one else is aware.
I'm learning that my desire for God to use me in a big way! to do big things! (read: in a very public way with myself at the center) takes my focus away from the truth: God's willingness to work in my life IS the big thing.
He's taken this Coffeegal, who never considered herself "smart", set her apart from her natural talents, and placed her in an arena where she HAS to depend on Him.
And the biggest gift of all? I get to learn these lessons of humility in the safest place of all: the center of my home.
That alone is proof that we serve a merciful God.
I'm not perfect. I still clamor for attention. I still (privately) pout when I don't get my way. Sometimes, when insecurity is running high and my ego begs for preening, I am far too quick to feed it. Every once in awhile I am prideful enough to compare myself with others, or worse, judge someone else who may have the position I once desired...
Posted by Unknown at 2:05 PM 19 comments Links to this post
Labels: Daniel Safari, homeschooling
Friday, February 05, 2010
Checkin' In
Although its currently snowing outside (again) I'm getting ready to have 12 preteen girls over for Summer Camp.
Tomorrow is The Girls birthday party.
We are doing this Camp Mystery Party from DramaticFanatic.
Seriously, these parties are fun. My niece had one last summer and it was a BLAST!
So my blogging and blog reading is kind of on the back burner while I make a tent cake and try to make this house look like summer camp and not an igloo.
To my Safari Girls and my Read With Me girls I'm still reading and studying. I am here, just not writing about it this week.
I hope you are staying warm where you are, and that your weekend is fantastic!
Posted by Unknown at 1:54 PM 12 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Double Digits (The Girl This Time)
Long before I had children, someone told me that as you get older you remember the years by your children.
I could never understand what that meant.
Today I think I do.
The moment a baby enters your life you're changed-- everything becomes measured by that momentous time.
That child (or those children) become the measuring stick by which all moments, days, seasons, and years are measured.
I cannot believe that 10 years ago today I gave birth to a tiny dark-haired baby girl.
In the blink of an eye, we went from a cold day in Texas with a pink swaddled baby, to celebrating her 10th birthday-breakfast eating one of her favorite foods: bacon.
Time goes so incredibly fast.
Of all the girls in this world, I wouldn't want anyone but you. You are smart, and funny, and compassionate. And you have made the last decade so bright.
I pray that the next decade finds you healthy and happy, and drawing nearer to God.
I have sung these words to you almost as long as you have been alive. I pray that these words will be alive and active in you as you live out the decades to come:
Cling to Jesus, sweet girl...today and everyday!
Happy Birthday!
Love you,
Posted by Unknown at 3:08 PM 12 comments Links to this post
Monday, February 01, 2010
Wish Granted
Well, I got my wish, we have more snow outside than I have EVER seen at one time!
I'm celebrating Day Three of the Great Big Snow Storm of 2010 by putting make-up on and cleaning up a bit.
Seriously, 36 hours of lounging in PJ's and not wearing my contact lenses is about all I can take.
I'm not complaining, not really.
I'm happy that The Mister is at home today because our drive-way and street is still COMPLETELY covered in snow and ice. And I LOVE that because we homeschool, I have something for the kids to do today.
I do enjoy routine, and I like to have order.
And after two days of throwing caution to the wind and enjoying our snow days, I like "normal" too.
I did use our snowed in days to go out and take a few pictures....
We got nearly 8 inches in our 'hood....
I had an ENORMOUS amount of fun sewing up a few little things:
I do need the snow to hurry up and melt though. Wednesday is The Girls birthday and I had planned to shop for her on Saturday...can we spell....i-n t-r-o-u-b-l-e if the roads don't clear up so I can do some shopping???
Happy Monday!
Posted by Unknown at 12:31 PM 14 comments Links to this post
Labels: Silly Things I Do, Snow


text:
Hello from our home to your home. Greeting from our home after a seemingly rushing and busy holiday season. We have many visitors and special groups coming to make our holiday season very full and exciting. We would like to take this time to send our appreciation to everyone who helped make our Christmas Season a very merry one!
We also appreciate all of the churches, groups, children and individuals who make our residents happy during the holidays! We enjoyed the caroling up and down the hallways and all the lovely gifts left to everyone. Many residents went out to be with family members over the Christmas holiday and reported such wonderful times and delicious Christmas dinners with their families.
The ones that didn't go out were treated to a special dinners and cards from the Ava Jr. High Student Council. Soon after Christmas Day our wonderful decorations began to disappear and by New Years Day they were gone for another year. Tuesday was the day for Resident Council but we postponed it because Connie was on vacation with her family. Connie came in over the weekend in and put up the new calander for January and put new ones in residents room. This calander is our Bible for the month. It is very important to our life in the home.
We thought bad weather was coming after Christmas because it was cold and rainy, but we were suprised when the weather moderated and turned so nice. We will enjoy this weather while we can.
We played games, worked jig-saw puzzles and filled our time exercising and resting up after all the excitement of Christmas.
A very special church came on Christmas Day and delivered the afternoon service for the residents. Skyline Full Gospel Church volunteered and we were honored to have then come on the day that our Savior was born. We appreciate you Bro. Bobby Page , you are awesome. Faith Rock Church started the new year out for us, with a wonderful church service, everyone enjoyed this church service. Maxine Lirley sang several songs in the afternoon.
Mike Santos with Newhope Freewill Baptist Church is here on Friday evenings at 5:30. Goodhope General Baptist Church visited us last Sunday with a large group for singing and a spiritual Bible lesson for all of us and a time of visiting and gifts for all of us.
The new Ava Ministerial Alliance Nursing Home Service for 2012 will be in this weeks Herald and I will have copies you can pick in my office. Schedule for this Sunday, January 15 is Mt. Tabor Church with Pastor Dennis Shumate. The service is at 2:00 in the main dining room. Everyone is welcome to attend. On January 22nd schedule is 1st Southern Baptist Church, Pastor Tom Maples and on January 29th Ava United Methodist Church with Pastor Marty Blakey. Any questions call Connie at 683-4129.
Time passes so fast and Connie is starting to work on the 27th annual 4th of July Celebration which will be held on June 29th. If you would like a booth please call Connie at 683-4129, booth spaces are free.
Our prayers and sympathy goes out to the family of Beluah Frazier.
We would like to welcome new residents to our home, they are Mike Graham, Richard Woodall, Thelma Yates, John Haskins, Laura Powers, Magaret Gibson and Louis Suits . Congratulations to Ellis Stephens who got to go home. God Bless You From our home to you home.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
People in puppet costumes are having a tough time these days. It's been all over the news. What the hell is this?
The most recent ones involve life-size puppets or puppets with people in them in Puerto Rico and Times Square. In Puerto Rico, the puppet is this gossipy big-haired woman with too much lipstick known as La Comay, who is just a big gossip. She holds forth on TV on a show called SuperXClusivo and has comments on just about everything.
Anyway, she was commenting about the murder of a 32-year-old man in San Juan and said, flippantly, that, well he was in this district frequented by prostitutes so maybe he was asking for this. And over 72,000 people signed up on Facebook agreeing to boycott La Comay, advertisers Walmart and AT&T and others pulled their commercials, and the lady with the big hair has been bounced.
In Times Square, a man dressed up as Elmo from Sesame Street was arrested after allegedly going on an anti-Semitic rant. People make anti-Semitic remarks all the time. But I guess it's different if you are dressed up as Elmo. The man in the suit, by the way, is Jewish. They arrested him and he pled guilty to disorderly conduct, was sentenced to two days of community service and said he was off to Hawaii. "I had people yelling slurs at me, calling me a pedophile, saying I couldn't be trusted around children," he said.
That might have been because last fall the television voice of the actual Sesame Street character Elmo was accused of having inappropriate sexual relationships with two boys when they were 15 and 16 years old. You could hear this man's voice, as Elmo, right on television, this very person, talking to your kids. He denied the accusations, and the first accuser recanted his initial claims, but this person, Kevin Clash, resigned, his Muppet days at an end.
A few weeks later, also in Manhattan, but in front of the Conde Nast Building, another man in a puppet suit, dressed up as Super Mario was arrested for alleged forcible touching after a 58-year-old woman complained to a police officer that Super Mario, with his big furry glove, had touched her on her thigh. It's probably a good idea to keep in mind that unlike in Disney World, anybody can dress up as practically anything and walk the streets. It's the law. So there's nobody doing background checks.
Finally, there was this piece about a man who as a child was the voice of Charlie Brown in those cartoon television specials. (They still re-air today.)
Peter Robbins had been living in California when his girlfriend Shawna Kern decided to have a breast enhancement. According to authorities, the work was done, Robbins paid for it, Robbins and Kern broke up, and then all hell broke loose. It all came out at his arraignment, which was reported by the New York Post showing Robbins in a prison suit looking up with the caption "ARRRGH!" underneath it—which is what 8-year-old Charlie Brown often says when he can't figure something out. Robbins was charged with stalking and threatening his girlfriend and the plastic surgeon. He pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of making criminal threats and two counts of stalking.
According to court papers, Robbins put a note up on Dr. Lori Saltz's office door that read:
"Dr. Saltz, give me my f—king money back! You are a hack job! You butchered my girl and then throw her to the curb in pain, crying. I will break you in half today and all the kings men won't put you back together again!"
There was also a phone message he allegedly left on the surgeon's answering machine.
He wanted her to bring a $12,000 refund "at the Westin Hotel lobby by midnight [or] I will kill you."
Robbins, according to Kern, had paid to buy a gun, though he didn't pick it up, which the Post says authorities have confirmed.
His girlfriend, by the way, with the boob job in place, was off and living in L.A. The lawsuit says Robbins left 50 voicemails on his girlfriend's phone, one of which allegedly said, "Bring me my dog immediately. You get $6,000 for a boob job. You can't even feed yourself, can't even feed your children. You're an embarrassment to life."
* * *
For each of the last two years, I have dressed up in a magnificent Santa Claus costume and sat high up on the last float of the annual Christmas parade in East Hampton Village. Me and the missus shout "Merry Christmas!" and "ho, ho, ho" and wave to the crowd. You can see knees buckle and the eyes widen on the four-year-olds. It's HIM. He's REAL.
After the parade, I repair to the lobby of the Huntting Inn, where I sit upon a throne and parents holding their kids by the hand line up to wait to see me. Some of the kids are too shy to jump up on my lap to tell me what they want, but others do. The kids like it. The parents like it. I like it. Is this okay?


text:
No More Foster Care for Illinois Catholic Charities?
A local judge refused to change his ruling that the state has the right to stop referring children to charities in four dioceses.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CNA/EWTN News)—Illinois Catholic Charities' foster-care services may eventually cease to exist after a local judge refused to change his ruling that the state has the right to stop referring children to charities in four dioceses.
"If you don't have new referrals, the system basically just atrophies," Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Conference, told CNA on Sept. 27.
"We can't continue to fight this in court if there are no children in the system."
On Sept. 26, Illinois Circuit Court Judge John Schmidt reiterated his Aug. 18 ruling, which held that "no citizen has a recognized legal right to a contract with the government."
Because of this, he explained, the state had no obligation to renew a long-standing arrangement with Catholic Charities in the dioceses, as it had annually for over 40 years.
Although the four dioceses are now seeking to appeal the decision in an appellate court and even the Illinois Supreme Court if necessary, Gilligan said that state departments are moving quickly to find other agencies to replace Catholic Charities' foster-care services.
"I think it's pretty clear to all of us who are really close to this issue" that the state "is moving on," Gilligan said.
"They are actively recruiting other child-welfare agencies to provide care for children who are currently being provided care by Catholic Charities."
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services previously told Catholic Charities that it was ending the contract over Catholic Charities' alleged refusal to obey the 2011 Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Unions Act, which established legal privileges for same-sex and opposite-sex couples in civil unions.
Because of the recent court decisions, faith-based agencies "are now basically barred from contracting with the state because they believe that children are best with a mother and a father," Gilligan said.
Not only are foster parents going to "suffer" the effects of this, he added, but the "children who are currently receiving care will experience another disruption to their already fragile lives."
Catholic Charities in the four dioceses of Belleville, Springfield, Peoria and Joliet are now seeking a stay in court that would allow children who need foster homes to still be referred to them.
"If we can't get a court to stay these decisions in order to continue receiving children, I don't think we're going to be able to continue in a legal process," he said.
Gilligan recalled that the state of Illinois has a history of dependence on faith-based organizations. He noted how Catholic, Jewish and Lutheran agencies helped the state's once severely disorganized child-and-family-services department go from having 46,000 children in the foster-care system in 1997 to only 16,000 today.
But, ironically, Gilligan added, the same religious values that led these agencies to help in such a drastic way are now being penalized by the state.


text:
Brad Pitt could work with just about any director he wanted to. And he wanted to work with Terrence Malick.
At a screening of their polarizing new project "The Tree of Life" at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Pitt said that he and the iconoclastic auteur – who's few-and-far-between films like "Days of Heaven," "The Thin Red Line" and "The New World" are considered epic masterpieces in some circles, epic puzzlements in others – had quietly been looking for a project to collaborate on for a while.
"I've been talking to Terry for some time about doing something, and, you know, I'm a bit of a cinephile, so he ranks at the top," said Pitt, who stars as an abusive 1950s father whose actions profoundly mark his three sons, particularly Jack (played by Sean Penn), who the story follows into the future. "I think this film, it's a challenging film, and equally challenging to get made. He had come to us. I think he needed some muscle to help get it through, and that's how we originally got involved. And it's a big honor for me."
U.S. & World
The film – which recently won the Palm d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival – follows an unconventional, meditative, existential and even surrealist path, in keeping with the Malick milieu. Behind the scenes, Pitt says the decidedly non-Hollywood production was equally unconventional.
"It's completely different because you don't have chaos that you have on a normal set," explained Pitt. "There are generators and noise and trucks and unions and food – and this is none of that. It was quite like everyday life. We were in the neighborhood, we were in the houses, working out of the houses. The whole place, the neighborhood's dressed like the '50s. The kids are in their house, they pick out their own clothes that day and that's what they wear. Freeform script – they don't know the script. There's one guy with a camera, no lights, none of that stuff. It was a completely different experience. He was trying to capture the sweet perfections of life. I don't know if that's interesting, but it was interesting for me on the other side."
Because of the lack of definitive script, Pitt – famously, the father of six with partner Angelina Jolie – had to take care with the child actors playing his sons when it came to staging the scenes in which he terrorizes them.
"We had to be careful, because they are young boys and you don't want to scar them in the process," admits Pitt. "So it was explained to them ahead of time who was playing and they knew it was coming, but they didn't know when it was coming. And in between we made sure we had a lot of time for everyday life, throwing the ball around and riding bikes. And I think everyone got through it unscathed."
As a parent himself, Pitt connected to how the film explores the long-lasting influences a child's upbringing can have. "When we're a kid, our parents are our universe. Then you reach an age of consciousness where you realize people do die; your loved ones die; you will die – the impermanence of life. And it's a discombobulating, scary moment. And then you try to understand and rationalize it. At the same time you're growing up, you thought you were being shaped by the influences around you and being formed by this. It's a really complicated time."
He admits that the film didn't alter his perspective on life, but rather gave him an outlet to add his own viewpoint to Malick's vision. "A lot of art is putting what you know about life into a story, and I come at it more from that," he said. "But this film is experiential. It's meant to trigger moments in your own life. And I think it's pretty successful on that front."
Despite the wildly disparate reactions to the film – along with collecting Cannes' highest honor, it was also booed by many audience members – Pitt said he thinks the film is one worth watching. "I have to believe it's one that has some longevity and I hope it finds an audience," he said. "It certainly provokes some debate."


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The coincidence is too uncanny. This at 22:00, MST.
The following packages will be upgraded:
1 packages upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.
Need to get 57.6kB of archives. After unpacking 4096B will be freed.
Considering the HD-DVD mayhem underway on digg.com (that's starting to spill over into other places too), the update is suspicious in the least. …


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Saints Row: The Third Summary
Saints Row: The Third Review
We're in Saints Row, bitch...
Latest Updates
Saints Row dev Volition hosting "quiz show hour" this Friday, to unveil new project
Red Faction and Saints Row developer Volition Inc., now owned by Nordic Games, is set to reveal their latest project in the works at PAX Prime in Seattle this Friday.
A "quiz show hour" will be hosted by Natalie Lander - the voice of Kinzie. Fans will get to see "exclusive gameplay, art, and details" of the new project from the studio.
New Humble Bundle features Deep Silver games
The latest Humble Bundle deal features Deep Silver games including Saints Row 2, Saints Row the Third, Dead Island, Dead Island Riptide, Risen 2: Dark Waters and Sacred 2.
Volition responds to fan anger over Saints Row 4
Saints Row 4 started life as the Saints Row: The Third expansion Enter the Dominatrix, and Volition is dealing with fan anger over the fact that the expansion is being sold as a full game. The developer insists that the game has a broader scope than just the cyberspace section.
Volition releasing 'mod tools' for Saints Row: The Third
Developer Volition Inc. is releasing a bunch of tools and information to the PC modding community for Saints Row: The Third, which is believed to be a test run to see what fans can come up with when equipped.
If it proves successful enough then Saints Row 4 may see official endorsement for mods a lot sooner. Volition's Studio Director of Programming is releasing the tools, documents etc.
Uncharted 3, XCOM, LittleBigPlanet Karting free for PSN Plus next week
Sony has announced that next week's PlayStation Store update will feature Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception, XCOM: Enemy Unknown, and LittleBigPlanet: Karting free for PlayStation Plus subscribers.


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"I can't stop laughing," said my 8 year-old granddaughter. And her candy-coated laughter continued to erupt as she stayed on her feet while propelling us in a jumbo bubble-wrapped balloon of plastic. Meanwhile I was on my knees trying to stand up (which is where I spent most of my time). Back at the starting point, tumbling out of the bubble's door, we both wiped sweat from our foreheads. Her laughter burst on.
I giggled with her, her joy positively contagious (even though I wondered if I needed to call a chiropractor).
Ahh…Joy. Webster definition of this noun includes a feeling of great happiness. When was the last time you did joy? Sometimes it needs to be almost intentional, doesn't it? Or we might feel we need to get our work done, our relationships right, our finances balanced before we allow ourselves to experience joy.
But….look here! How, in His word are we directed to do joy?
Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do.
He's already approved what you do. You can do joy….now!
Doing joy could be making a cake, decorating a sugar cookie, drinking sweet tea on a park bench, visiting a bakery store with your favourite macaroons, or dining at that awesome 'only the locals know about' cafe.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
Joy could be doing a little bit of silly to make some happy, like having a (fun) battle at a wedding.
Joy could be doing a bit of crafting, to create something for a smile of another.
Joy may even be had after a long line-up for a once-in-a-life-time meet-up of Lightening McQueen.
Joy could be doing a little looking at some shiny bling, or in that moment strapping on that luggage for the road trip.
Joy could be in the doing of a little watching of feline creatures.
Or in taking the time, that moment, to pick up that hobby you've left behind (but oh so wants you to be happy).
And doing joy could be while doing good when volunteering. And even sweeter joy meeting 'the band.' (Tim and Glory Boys at Youth Conference 2017, Red Deer, Alberta)
What is your list of joy, my friend? And what is one thing you could do today, even if small or silly, to "to be happy and to do good"?
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.


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Tys injections cost between 25,000 and 35,000 a year till he's 19. Waiting to hear if we get a compassionate grant .. Rylie has a book report due and she can't read.. Oliver is restless in class and Olivia's showing signs of having dyslexia as well... Tys braces, three other kids in glasses, ortho, wart removals and muffin baking.. Add in full time registered psychiatric nurse mum who doesn't get home till 1930 4 nights a week and I'm feeling impossible. Five breakfasts, lunches, suppers and 3 snacks times four kids by 0830 each day.. Laundry.. Puppy duty and cat loving...
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Posted by Chelsea at 7:40 PM 0 comments
Friday, December 19, 2014
Posted by Chelsea at 12:27 AM 0 comments
Friday, November 28, 2014
It has it's trials, it's triumphs and those days you're convinced not only the stars are stacked against you but so is the dishwasher...
Posted by Chelsea at 11:25 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Rational vs irrational
Conversing with those in ignorance is like talking to a styrofoam cup... all it's capable of holding is hot water.
Posted by Chelsea at 9:45 PM 0 comments
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
It's my birthday and my kids are camping
It's my birthday and my kids will be camping and I'm OK with it. It's the first time in 10 years I've had a birthday and not had ANY of my babies with me.
Posted by Chelsea at 11:34 PM 1 comments
Friday, July 25, 2014
Lots a bride never a bridesmaid!
I'm going to be a bridesmaid!!!!
Posted by Chelsea at 10:04 PM 0 comments
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Feeling salty
Posted by Chelsea at 8:44 PM 0 comments


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Nobody has any illusions that tree planting ceremonies will change the world. But today's event in Nicosia's United Nations Protected Area had a different feel to it. It was an opportunity for over 50 civil society organisations from both communities, to express their support for the ongoing peace negotiations and convey their message to the leaders that 'every decisive step taken in the [peace building process] will contribute to deeper understanding between the two communities'.
Mr Christofias, the Greek Cypriot leader and Mr Talat, the Turkish Cypriot leader planted the trees firmly in the ground, and chatted to the assembled representatives of the organizations. The atmosphere was jovial, with jokes and repartee flying back and forth between the leaders, the journalists and the NGOs themselves. "Give us a kiss", shouted one photographer, after the customary hand-shaking. "Demetri, you're not digging hard enough", said another, referring to the Greek Cypriot leader who was busy chatting with one delegate, who reminded him that the people of Cyprus wanted to 'start harvesting the olives soon!'
A statement, signed by the participating organisations, was then read out in both Turkish and Greek. It spoke of joint intercommunity efforts and trust building measures that are being initiated by both communities 'to discuss and exchange ideas in a manner which can contribute to the debate at the grassroots level.' It also urged the leaders to keep the public well informed of any progress and to address emerging difficulties in a constructive way that would not adversely affect the outcome of the talks.
'Civil society seeks to embrace a catalytic role,' the statement concluded. 'To contribute to a new impetus in realizing a bi-communal, bi-zonal, federal Cyprus.'
Yes, tree planting ceremonies don't change the world. But a large group of non-governmental groups, representing their views and speaking directly to power, are a strong reminder of what these talks really are about: the people. A seasoned peace campaigner recently said to us 'We don't need any more olive trees that are planted for peace and later die from lack of watering.'
With all the cynicism and failed hope already around us, perhaps it's time to start believing again. With the right nurturing, there's everything to play for at the moment. Let's keep watering those trees.
by Sarah, Cyprus Community Media Centre


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|The stupid question is the question not asked
Scratchpad Bugby Limbic~Region (Chancellor)
|on Apr 17, 2006 at 13:49 UTC ( #543815=monkdiscuss: print w/replies, xml )
|Need Help??
gods, devils, and the rest of the motley crew,
I just went to my home node, clicked on the "Edit Private" link for my scratch pad and submitted some stuff on it. I then navigated to Newest Nodes and back to my home node and clicked on "View" for my public scratchpad. Guess what - it was my private pad.
From within my pad, clicking on "View Public" is enough to revert to proper behavior but I doubt this is the intended process.
Cheers - L~R
Back to Perl Monks Discussion


text:
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Some donors appreciate the simplicity of making a direct gift of cash. Others prefer to make a bequest in their will or trust that will benefit generations to come. Still others might consider making a gift of real estate or stock. Whatever your preference, every gift to California State University Maritime Academy is greatly appreciated. Here are just a few ways to make a difference in the University.
If you have questions on the variety of giving options, please contact Robert Arp, Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the California Maritime Academy Foundation at (707) 654-1037.
Donations of cash are the simplest and most direct way to give to Cal Maritime and are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Checks must be made payable to "The California Maritime Academy Foundation," write the department, program or fund you wish to donate to on the memo line and send the check to:
California Maritime Academy Foundation
200 Maritime Academy Drive
Vallejo, CA 94590-8181
You may also make a credit card donation, either as a one-time payment or in multi-month increments. To make a credit card payment by phone, contact the Foundation Office at (707) 654-1246.
Make an instant gift on our secure website >>
You may be looking for a way to make a significant gift to help further our mission. With thoughtful planning, it is possible to make a gift to Cal Maritime and receive a range of individual financial benefits, including reduced taxes, additional retirement income, and more. Learn more today.
Many companies will match employee gifts to Cal Maritime. Employees should contact their Human Resource or Employee Benefit Office to confirm company matching gift benefits. Send completed paperwork to:
The California Maritime Academy Foundation
200 Maritime Academy Drive
Vallejo, CA 94590-8181
To find out if your company has a matching gift program, enter your employer's name below:
Annual Fund Leaders Circle donors make Cal Maritime a priority for their charitable giving each year. Totals include matching gifts and all Annual Fund donations made during the fiscal year: July 1 – June 30. Recognition is renewable annually. Learn more >>
You Shop. Amazon Gives. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to The California Maritime Academy Foundation whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
You can select a different charitable organization after signing in. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Purchases through AmazonSmile enable Cal Maritime to offer students opportunities and experiences that would not otherwise be possible. Support The California Maritime Academy Foundation by starting your shopping at smile.amazon.com. You can sign in using your regular Amazon account information.
Cal Maritime is honored to provide special opportunities to name faculty positions, scholarships, programs and rooms to recognize extraordinary gifts. This form of donor recognition is one way for the University to honor benefactors and highlight their generosity and commitment to Cal Maritime. Please contact The California Maritime Academy Foundation at (707) 654-1037 or email email@example.com to learn more about how Cal Maritime's special recognition opportunities can help achieve your philanthropic goals.


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IP-address searchPlease type IP-address
Looking IP 188.8.131.52
- Country: United States
- Region: Virginia
- City: Ashburn
- Postal Code: 20147
- Latitude/Longitude: 39.018 / -77.539
- ISP: "DataWeb Global Group B.V."
- Organization: "Advanced Hosters B.V."
- Host Name:
IP address is numbered 22.214.171.124. The country of this IP address registration is United States, and it is registered in Virginia, Ashburn. IP Country code is US. IP address is assigned to "DataWeb Global Group B.V.". In organization "Advanced Hosters B.V.". It is also assigned to a hostname . IP address latitude is 39.018 and longitude is -77.539.
The tool shows the wrong location?
We can't guarantee 100% accuracy. Internet service providers typically don't inform about the exact location of each host with its address pool. Nationwide ISP can dynamically assign IP addresses, even on a very large area.


text:
Thursday 24 September 2020
cnn.com - 1 month ago
Australia s internal borders are going to stay closed
Latest News
Nenshi says Calgary could end homelessness 'within 2 years' with help from province, feds- globalnews.ca
At least one officer was shot during demonstrations after public outrage over a grand jury decision not to charge officers with killing Breonna Taylor- cnn.com
Lethbridge sees drop in opioid-related EMS calls as province reports jump in overdose deaths- globalnews.ca
Halifax gives green light to ride-sharing, but regulations present a bit of a speed bump- ctvnews.ca
Woman waits 7 hours for COVID-19 test, calls it 'unacceptable in a modern city like Toronto'- globalnews.ca
Hotel owner makes coronavirus safety allegations against Metis Nation-Saskatchewan president- globalnews.ca
Alberta government to demolish Legislature Annex building after finding repairs would cost $29M- globalnews.ca
Dispatcher error led police to release man who went on to commit merciless and savage sex assault- ctvnews.ca
Justin Trudeau's address to the nation: 'The second wave is underway' [Full transcript]- macleans.ca
Coronavirus: City of Lethbridge working with partners to address rise in illegal encampments- globalnews.ca
Multiple injuries, traffic redirected as police investigate single-vehicle crash in Dartmouth- globalnews.ca
U.S. election: Trump won't commit to peaceful transfer of power if he loses to Biden- globalnews.ca
Quebec youth protection sees increase in child abuse reports following Granby girl's death- globalnews.ca
Ambulance policies must change after woman waited 3 hours for help and died, B.C. mayor says- ctvnews.ca
Junior hockey: Provincial election may slow return for WHL's B.C. teams, Kelowna Rockets- globalnews.ca
Brockville Shrine Club launches new award for graduating students in memory of former member- ctvnews.ca
Suspicious incidents reported by two women in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood- globalnews.ca
Capsized float home near Valdes Island could be blown into 'toothpicks' by storm, residents say- globalnews.ca
Code Red for COVID-19: Ottawa s top doctor warns COVID status close to most severe level- ctvnews.ca
The One with an All-Black Cast: Gabrielle Union hosts a star-studded Friends table read- hellomagazine
Galaxy S20 FE deal alert: Samsung s brand-new phone is already $100 off at Best Buy - CNET- cnet.com
'A lack of process': Beaverton residents, councillors upset over modular housing project- globalnews.ca
Ontario looks to move standardized testing online, will pilot some testing this year- globalnews.ca
Dear Donald, Dear Mr. President: Trump and Nixon carried out years-long correspondence by mail- cbc.ca
Ontario hospital lays off 97 registered nurses amid pandemic citing financial challenge- ctvnews.ca
Quebec tables revamped bill to fast-track infrastructure projects and reboot economy- globalnews.ca
How Kerry Washington has been teaching her children about Black history during the coronavirus pandemic- hellomagazine
Coronavirus: 3rd patient dies, patient screening increased amid Foothills hospital outbreaks- globalnews.ca
Ottawa Bylaw issues seven tickets, 300 warnings since Saturday for illegal parking at COVID-19 Assessment Centre- ctvnews.ca
Ontario hospital lays off 97 registered nurses due to a significant financial challenge- ctvnews.ca
Alberta's police watchdog investigating training injury to Lethbridge police officer- globalnews.ca
The Mari Takahashi origin story: How a former ballerina became a gamer and entrepreneur - CNET- cnet.com


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Food is free, runs are not
A pitcher's duel went the way of the Wings on Wednesday afternoon as Rochester defeated the Bisons, 1-0, from Frontier Field.
On Thursday, (April 30) the Bisons will hand out a tear-off card at the ballpark's gates that contains $8.00 of FREE food coupons. Each card will have a coupon for one FREE meal item (either hot dog, hamburger, Italian sausage or kids PB&J uncrustable pouch), one FREE small popcorn and one FREE small ice cream sandwich. The concession stands will also offer unlimited Coca-Cola soft drink products throughout the game.


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WASHINGTON - Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday there is "no fixed schedule" or "magic number" for when the Federal Reserve will start to slow or end its bond purchases.
During a news conference after the meeting, Bernanke said the Fed could still reduce the $85-billion-a-month in bond purchases later this year. But he said that hinges on the economy showing sustained improvement. And he clarified that the program won't necessarily end when unemployment reaches 7 per cent.
"What we will be looking at is the overall labour market situation, including the unemployment rate but other factors as well. There is no magic number," Bernanke said.
The Fed said after its two-day policy meeting that it will continue to buy bonds at the current pace while it awaits conclusive evidence that the economy is strengthening. The bond purchases are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low to boost spending and economic growth.
Since the bond purchases began a year ago, the unemployment rate has fallen to 7.3 per cent, the lowest since 2008. Yet the rate has dropped in part because many people have stopped looking for work and are no longer counted as unemployed.
Bernanke acknowledged that the drop in the so-called "labour force participation rate" has understated the amount of "true unemployment" in the economy. Still, he says several other measures of the job market show progress.
"Most of the improvement in the unemployment rate — not all, but most — is due to job creation," he said.
Bernanke continued to dodge all questions about his own future. It is widely expected that he will step down when his current term has chairman ends on Jan. 31. But he has not publicly stated this intention.
"If you will indulge me just a little longer, I prefer not to talk about my plans," Bernanke told a questioner. But he said he hoped to have information to divulge "soon."
Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers announced on Sunday he was withdrawing his name from consideration. That has left as the leading contender Fed Vice Chair Janet Yellen. The administration said this week that President Barack Obama intends to nominate a successor this fall.
Bernanke rejected a suggestion that the Fed's decision not to begin trimming its bond purchases had confused financial markets, which had widely expected a move.
"I don't recall stating that we would do any particular thing at this meeting," Bernanke said. "We can't let market expectations dictate our actions."


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Want to know what's hot for you and your teenagers and graduates? Here are some great ideas for you to consider while trying to keep everyone happy.
1) Panama. Now, we don't CALL this a teen trip, but really older kids are perfect for this adventure. With excitement like zip-lines and white water rafting it has adrenaline pumping action. And with the engineering marvel of the canal, and the cultural attraction of the Embera community there is plenty of sophistication for your kids, and you too! Our guides will engage your family and you'll go home with memories you never dreamt of.
2) Costa Rica. This stands by as our most popular family adventure, and the benefit of having older, more tolerant kids is your ability to head to the remote region of Corcovado National Park. It's far away, out there, and oh so worth it to get to. Surfing, hiking, snorkeling
3) Tanzania. A safari is a sedentary adventure by nature but our Active Safari takes every opportunity for you to stretch your legs and challenge your pre-conceptions. Bike at Gibbs Farm, enjoy walks and village visits at our exclusive private nature refuge, and hike partway up Mount Meru to overnight in a hut before hiking back down the next day. Interspersed with world class wildlife viewing, this adventure will stay with you forever. (And if this isn't enough you could always think about a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro…….)
4) Peru. You don't need to fight the crowds on the famed Inca Trail hike into Machu Picchu in order to appreciate all of the wonders Peru has to offer. In fact, we beseech you to NOT join that rat race. Come try some undiscovered trails, and enjoy world class hiking and gorgeous landscapes on trails where you may not see any other people, short of local farmers and their llamas. A Peru Trek can be the way to reassess your life while your older children begin to define their own lives. Prefer the comforts of a hotel? It's easy to avoid the camping and still enjoy daily explorations. Let the energetic, able bodied kids do the hiking, and you can simply sit and contemplate the beautiful landscape. Want top of the line? Try our Lake Titicaca extension.
5) Galapagos! Whether you opt for a stint on a luxury catamaran or a unique opportunity to sleep in the islands themselves, the snorkeling, biking, and kayaking in the Galapagos is fabulous. Never just a beach vacation, this is a sophisticated exploration to challenge your mind. Did you know there is wildlife here you just won't find anywhere else in the world? Come visit these volcanic islands for the chance to think differently.
6) You know me, it's hard to stop myself. Last summer I went with my kids (18, 22, 25) to Thailand and we had the best time ever. Culture, cities, villages, hiking, zip lines, rafting, elephants, Buddhism, food, massage, wow. A fabulously exotic place that is so warm and welcoming, you might never want to leave.


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Licensure Prep Course
Saturday, February 22, 2020 (Snow date 2/29/2020)
Time: 9:00am - 4:30pm
Lunch on your own ~Recommend to bring a lunch
DeSales University
Dooling Hall Room 106
Center Valley, Pa 18034
Room to be determined
Instructors: John Weaver, ACSW, LCSW and Sue Dietrich, LCSW
Cost: $ 75.00 NASW Member $150.00 Non-member ~ Due at time of registration
(includes class and manual given at time of the class)
You will receive an automated receipt/confirmation of class, this entails that your registration went through.
In the past we were able to send the manual ahead of time for an extra fee, at this time the manual is not available for pre delivery.
This full-day preparatory course has been evaluated by recent participants as an excellent review of theories and terminology, with helpful practice test questions, study manual and discussion. The enrollment for each course is limited to allow for maximum participation and learning. The response to previous courses was very high, so if you are planning to take the intermediate or clinical licensure exam, be sure to register early!
This course assists with both the masters or clinical level of the examination. The number of questions in particular areas and the complexity of the questions is what differs between the exams.
If you would like to mail in your registration, please send your name, address, telephone number, email address, the date/location of the prep course you wish to attend, and a check payable to NASW PA
Mail all information to:
NASW-PA Prep Course
1000 Bent Creek Blvd, Suite 40
Mechanicsburg, Pa 17050
Attention: Prep class
If you have questions contact Amy at firstname.lastname@example.com or Alicia at email@example.com
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS: Cancellation deadline is one week prior to the course date in writing to firstname.lastname@example.com or via fax 717-697-5686. An administrative fee of $20.00 will be charged for cancellations received prior to the deadline. Cancellations received after the deadline and no-shows receive no refund. NASW-PA Chapter reserves the right to cancel courses with insufficient registration. In the event the Chapter cancels the event, the workshop fee is refunded in full.
If you require accommodations to permit your attendance or participation at an NASW-PA event, please provide a written request via US certified mail along with a completed registration form and payment at least 30 days prior to the registration deadline for the workshop or conference. Requests received after this deadline may not be able to be processed or fulfilled in time for the activity. NOTE: Registration for this course does not register, nor qualify candidates for the licensure exam. Contact the Pennsylvania State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors for licensure requirements, regulations, and application forms. Visit www.nasw-pa.org for a link to the state board to receive examination registration information.
Remember Me
9/4/2020BSW Licensure is Now Active in Pennsylvania!
6/4/2020Statement on George Floyd, Institutional Racism, and an Invitation to Discuss
10/1/2020Contemporary Grief Theory & Creative Strategies for Intervention (4 CEs) Online
10/1/2020Snip & Sip; Stress Relief for the Professional (2 CEs) in Tele/video
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text:
I liked the bit at the end with She Hulk, I've read a few rumors that one of the big Avengers is gonna bite it too in this arc, most people say its between Hawkeye, Wasp or Yellowjacket
Brian, the clonetrooper actually meets Luke on the "cliffhanger" splash page of Empire #26. Going to be interesting how his "return" to civilization turns out.
mosnab-- Astonishing X-Men is worth the money. It's the only X-book I really keep track of anymore.I do hope Whedon decides to stick around after his 12-issue run is up.
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The May jobs number of 69,000 is nearly 100,000 less than economists were expecting. March and April were also revised downward. The unemployment rate ticked up .1, to 8.2 percent (it was 7.9 percent when Obama took office). The news is all bad.
The political implications are pretty obvious. Nate Silver said a while ago that an average monthly job gain of around 150,000 a month would be Obama's magic number--anything above, he was golden for reelection, and anything too far below meant trouble. There is a very thin silver lining here, which is that more people are returning to the work force, so the jobless rate actually went up for a good reason, but of course that's just a wonky and actually true argument; I'm not suggesting it would play politically, it's just worth noting as a fact.
Republicans, I predict, are going to start tossing the word recessioin around again. Recession means two quarters of negative growth, but that of course won't stop them--we're "heading into recession." Obama's strongest counter-argument: The private sector has now gained more jobs under my presidency than it lost. That is true. It's not a bad claim, considering the roughly 4.5 million such jobs lost in his first year. But it's not exactly deeply resonant under these circumstances either.
Hey, Federal Reserve Bank: anyone home? You can expect pressure now on Bernanke from Democrats to do something here. Watch him closely. Employment tends to bump up in the summer months, so we'll see what happens here. But if the numbers continue like this, there is no question that Romney's chances improve substantially.


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The main challenge for healthcare personnel is to provide the best possible treatment. This can be best achieved by both learning and practice. For learning to be efficient, educational objectives must be clearly defined and training must have a measurable, positive impact on learners' clinical practice.


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UFC vet Charlie Brenneman (17-5) will resume efforts to rebuild his career when he takes his next fight in the lightweight division.
Sources close to the fighter today told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Brenneman is set to meet Gemiyale Adkins (8-5) at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 25, which takes place June 22 at Valley Forge Casino Resort in Prussia, Pa.
Adkins this past month snapped a three-fight skid with a win on the East Coast regional circuit. He trains out of Team Balance in Philadelphia.
Brenneman, whose primary gym is AMA Fight Club in Whippany, N.J., recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (www.mmajunkie.com/radio) that his UFC release prompted some soul searching that led to his decision to drop weight.
"People ragged on me all the time for not finishing fights," he said. "What I've realized is part of the reason I wasn't finishing fights was because these guys were so big that all of my effort went into controlling them. Whereas I've fought these guys at 155, and granted, they're not UFC guys, it's been a lot easier to finish them."
At 170 pounds, Brenneman went an even 4-4 in the octagon, while he's finished both of his opponents at lightweight.
The dietary requirements of making 155 pounds are not unfamiliar to Brenneman, who said his years as a collegiate wrestler helped prepare him for the demands of shedding weight.
Still, he said, the process "always stinks."
Cage Fury Fighting Championships 25 can be purchased via online pay-per-view on the promotion's website.
Brenneman recently helped another former welterweight prepare for his biggest fight at lightweight. Once scheduled to fight T.J. Grant in the UFC, he struck up a friendship with the Canadian fighter and assisted him in a training camp for Gray Maynard at UFC 160 this past month. Grant won that fight and now will meet champion Benson Henderson for the title at UFC 164 in August.


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Dancing With The Stars 12 – Costumers And Stylists 'Get Personal' For Week 3
What a week it was for beautiful costuming. In my opinion, Randall Christensen and his crew outdid themselves. He explains how he was inspired for making some of the costumes even more personal to match their stories at Stylist. Note how Kirstie is nursing an injury.
Petra Nemcova: The long-legged Czech supermodel, who barely survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, vaulted to the top of the leader board, performing a soulful waltz she dedicated to child survivors of natural disasters.
For her top-scoring waltz, Christensen created a dreamy costume that featured an inventive dual-textured bra top. One side was encrusted with Aurora Borealis crystals, while the other was painstakingly hand-ruched. Layers of sheer, pale-blue chiffon gave the frock an ethereal quality. Nemcova and professional partner Dmitry Chaplin "had visions of Petra standing in the clouds so the light-blue fabric was the natural choice to signify an angel above the sky."
Nemcova is the founder of the Happy Hearts Fund, which builds schools and shelters for children impacted by cataclysmic events.
Kirstie Alley: Despite crashing on the ballroom floor with injured partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Alley's pale-gray rumba costume — and near flawless recovery — kept her looking good. The former "Cheers" actress worked closely with Christensen to conceive the design for her floaty dress to outfit a performance inspired by the "agony and ecstasy" of losing her mother in a drunk-driving-related car accident within days of getting her first major movie role, in "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan."
"The fluted jersey panels added the sense of speed to her movements while accentuating her hip action, whereas the chiffon overlay softened her every move," Christensen explains.
Meanwhile, our friends at PopEater report Alley is also nursing an injury.
Hines Ward: The NFL wide receiver scored big again with a sexy samba and, yes, the banana yellow of the trim of his black, sleeveless shirt and partner Kym Johnson's buoyant two-piece bedazzled ensemble was Ward's nod to Pittsburgh Steelers nation. "Hines not only nailed it, he showed how much fun he is having with that look and performance," says Christensen.
Kendra Wilkinson: For her "prelude to the bedroom" rumba, Christensen trimmed the red, silk-bed-sheet-inspired overlay of her bedazzled leotard after a weekend fitting to show off her phenomenal legs, back and hips. Red is a color Wilkinson rarely wears, but "there was just enough blue in it to show off her eyes."
Chelsea Kane: After their quirky jive was lampooned last week by the judges, the Disney star and partner Mark Ballas asked Christensen for a more traditional ballroom look, "just to show their commitment to winning." Tradition came in the form of a bedazzled bra top and super-short, gold-fringe mini. "Chelsea was all about a hot, flirty, beaded costume, and we just went from there," he said.
Melanie Mills, head make-up artist for the show, gave Hollywood Life some backstage secrets on the celebrities and the grueling process they go through as well to get ready for showtime.
Petra Nemcova is "so elegant, so sweet, so kind, just lovely. She's a fabulous beauty but very humble."
Kirstie Alley is "a fun, crazy gal. She's hilarious and a hoot to be around and have fun with."
Wendy Williams is "sophisticated but fun, and has a lot to say about everything! She loves her makeup and wants it piled on. One cute thing about her is as the makeup starts to get completed she almost starts to purr, she gets so excited! She's been taking fun pictures of herself through process and Tweeting them–she loves the process."
Kendra Wilkinson is "so cool and really down to earth. She's a tomboy. She's really nice and loves her baby and her husband, and has really been missing her baby lately. Her husband [Hank Baskett] is so cute, too– he comes in and they're just adorable together. She's really into the competition and wants to win!"
Melanie explains the grueling process of getting dancers ready for the competition: "They all get three to four hours of hair and makeup every day– half go into hair for an hour and half go into makeup, and they're practicing in between."
Why all the hair and makeup? Since the outfits are so wild (glitter and bright colors!), Melanie explains that "you have to balance the outfits– if you don't have makeup on you look absolutely naked." To keep the process fun, Melanie creates a festive atmosphere in the makeup trailer: "We have music pumping, we're dancing– we create a fun environment in there!"
Melanie also explained how she did Kendra and Wendy's make-up in more detail to In-Style.
Since Wilkinson was dancing the romantic rumba, Mills kept her makeup soft and sultry. "We toned down the over-the-top diva look that we've been doing the last few weeks and instead went for a soft bedroom eye," she told us. Mills swept amber shadow from Anastasia's Illumin8 Complex eye shadow palette No. 5 ($40, sephora.com) across the entire lid, and then rimmed her eyes with black pencil and finished with tons of lifting mascara. A few dabs of highlighter on the star's cheekbones and chin warmed her complexion and added a touch of light, as seen on Mills' face chart (inset). See Wendy Williams' look after the jump!
Wendy Williams had a different inspiration. "Wendy Williams' look for the Foxtrot was inspired by Jessica Rabbit," Mills said. By layering brown shadow on the lid, the makeup artist kept the look innocent, while shimmery black shadow underneath the lower lashline and along the crease added a smudgy, sexy appeal.
What an outstanding effort by everyone behind the scenes. No tables were left unturned and Petra gets my vote for the best costume. Who gets yours?
Picture above of Kirstie from the Dancing With The Stars Make-up Facebook page. Visit the link to see more.


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Spent some time checking into the background of a fancy marriage certificate dated 19 Jul 1864, between Isaac P. Francis of Brookline, Massachustts, and Annie B. Weeks, Dartmouth, Massachustts. This couple later lived in the New Bedford area and Fairhaven area.
I found some references online to an Isaac P. Francis and Hannah Bradford Weeks or Weekes; their wedding date was given as 17 Jul 1864. It seems improbable, though not impossible, that the mistake lies in the marriage certificate and more likely that it was a typo online or on the source used for that citation.
Isaac was involved in the grocery and railway businesses. Annie or Hannah had much more genealogical information online than Isaac, whose father apparently was also named Isaac, but the easy trail went cold from there.
Next up: Family Record apparently removed from a Bible at some point. Peter Green and Lydia Trimble, who were married 16 Oct 1803.


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The Bravest New Pair
By R.J. Anderson //
One of the final trades made before the deadline involved Kyle Farnsworth and Rick Ankiel heading to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for three players. The Braves hope these two help as they march toward the playoffs – could the same hold true for your NL-only fantasy team? Let's take a look.
The long and the short of this one is no. Farnsworth's superficial number in Kansas City looked much better this year (2.42 ERA) than in 2009 (4.58 ERA). But those numbers are deceiving. Farnsworth has posted big drops in his walk (3.38 BB/9 IP in 2009 to 2.42/9 IP in 2010) and home run rates (0.72 to 0.40) this season. But he's also seen his strikeout rate take a dive (10.13 to 7.25), while benefiting from a lot of good luck: His home runs per flyball rate has plunged to a career-low 4.5% (career average 11.6%), while his strand rate spiked to 80.8% (career 72.9%).
Meanwhile, the Braves' pen is already well stocked. Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito and Peter Moylan are all ahead in the pecking order for save or even hold opportunities. Effectively, Fanrsworth is coming to Atlanta to take the role of a middle reliever. There are better options out there in NL-only leagues, even among the ranks of non-closer relief pitchers.
Ankiel has put up a mediocre line of .253 AVG/.314 OBP/.453 SLG, with four homers in 105 plate appearances. That's right on par with his previous National League experience, when he hit .251/.311/.452 with the Cardinals. That's what Ankiel is: a decent power hitter without much in the way of contact, on-base skills, or stolen base skills who's also a below-average defender.
Ankiel takes Nate McLouth's position, after the incumbent center fielder got sent down following a stint on the disabled list with a concussion. Ankiel should be batting somewhere in bottom five of the Braves lineup, which makes him a decent bet for some run production. If you play in a league where positions are counted, then Ankiel has some value in center fielder. Even in standard National League-only leagues, he's worth a look. Don't expect the next coming of Jason Heyward and you should be fine.
For more on Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth, check out Bloomberg Sports' Front Office


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A wish list for Boulder Valley capital construction projects includes a new school or two in Erie, a district aquatics center, a new building for a therapeutic program for middle and high school students and building upgrades to help teachers integrate technology in instruction.
The district's 30-member Capital Improvement Planning Committee is developing recommendations to update the district's capital needs master plan. The plan will determine projects for the district's next capital construction bond issue.
Subcommittees recently made their recommendations to the full group, with an executive committee now working to decide what should make the cut for inclusion. Community forums also are planned for April to get feedback.
"We were asked as subcommittees to come up with everything we could think of — and the lists are significant," said Wendy Fiedler, a member of the executive committee. "But we know can't meet all those needs. We need to prioritize, and it's challenging."
Once the committee finalizes the list, the master plan then will go to the school board, likely in May, for approval. It's up to the board to decide whether to go forward with asking voters for a tax increase in November. The board also will decide on the final list of projects, which will determine the price tag.
All of Boulder Valley's schools were remodeled, repaired, expanded or rebuilt through the $296.8 million bond issue approved by voters in 2006. Based on an assessment conducted before the 2006 election, schools had at least $160 million in unmet needs that weren't funded.
For this round, the committee is focusing on six main areas — athletics, districtwide needs, enrollment growth, education innovation, technology, and safety and security.
"I feel very strongly that students need to learn and teachers need to teach in buildings that are safe and provide a healthy environment," Fiedler said.
Based on enrollment growth in Erie, building a K-8 school or a separate elementary and middle school in the town made the list. Now, Lafayette Elementary and Angevine Middle serve as the neighborhood schools for the district's Erie students.
A central campus for the district's online learning program, a permanent location for a part-time program for homeschool students, and more classrooms at schools for full-day kindergarten and extended day preschool are other recommendations. Now, eight if the district's 34 elementary schools provide full-day kindergarten and 20 offer preschool programs.
The committee also is recommending two rebuilds.
One is the building used for Halcyon, a therapeutic program for middle and high school students with "severe mental health challenges."
The program is in a former elementary school building in south Boulder that, according to staff members, lacks student spaces and staff meeting areas. The wish list includes smaller classrooms, small group spaces, more offices for counselors and therapists and an onsite kitchen.
The district also is considering starting a program at that location for severely autistic students who now must be educated outside the district.
The other building on the rebuild list is the district's Education Center, which would be rebuilt with new administrative offices and the additions of a transportation hub and a central kitchen.
The athletics committee suggested several major projects, with committee members noting that many Boulder Valley facilities aren't in as good of shape as those of its opponents, Plus, the committee members reported, schools often have to pay to use community facilities for practices, games and tournaments or have teams that must go to another school.
Monarch and Fairview high school football teams share stadiums with Lafayette's Centaurus and Boulder high, respectively. At the middle school level, track and field is the sport with the highest participation, but facilities aren't up to date and only three schools can host events.
Tracks at middle school, plus stadiums and more practice fields at high schools, all made the wish list. So did an aquatics center, with a 50-meter Olympic size pool in a 44,000-square foot building.
Committee members noted the district spends $60,000 a year to provide pool time at community facilities, but those facilities can't support student demand for participation.
Recommendations to bring schools up-to-date to reflect the needs of 21rst century learners included outdoor learning spaces, more flexible learning spaces, more performance and presentation spaces and conference rooms for students.
The safety committee's top identified needs include more security cameras at middle and high schools in outside areas and common areas inside, secure entrances at schools that don't have them, and a new districtwide digital communication system.
The district's current analog radio communication system is outdated, doesn't work in several areas and doesn't allow effective communication with first responders, according to the committee.
The committee has yet to address adding air conditioning to the 24 Boulder Valley elementary schools that don't have it in classrooms or the recommendations of project managers, who have cataloged maintenance needs at each building, such as roof replacements.


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NEW PRAGUE, Minn. (AP) — Students are heading back to class at New Prague public schools following a lockdown caused by a fake emergency call about a shooting.
Absent from school Thursday will be a 12-year-old boy accused of perpetrating the hoax that locked hundreds of students in their classrooms and drew a widespread respond from law enforcement agencies.
The New Prague middle school, high school and Central Education Campus buildings were locked down Wednesday after the 911 caller said there was a shooter with an AK-47 and a couple of victims. Authorities determined no one was hurt and arrested the boy. Classes were canceled for the rest of the day.
A juvenile detention hearing is expected to be held Thursday or Friday for the young suspect.
(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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The ubiquitous Kardashian sisters were among the top earning reality TV stars in a new list of rankings, reports the Daily Beast.
Kim led the list with over $6 million in reported earnings, pushing products ranging from cupcakes to tennis shoes. But the bulk of her money comes from the designer retails stores - named Dash - that she co-owns with her sisters. The sisters just released a new book, Kardashian Konfidential,that sold 13,000 copies in its first week of release and the curvy Californians also just wrapped the fifth season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, their E! Reality show.
Another California girl, former Laguna Beach and The Hills star Lauren Conrad, came in second place with an estimated $5 million take for 2010. She's made bank by producing a successful clothing and accessories line for Kohl's department stores and for her series of young adult books, which have sold over a million copies in hardback alone.
U.S. & World
Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
Bethenny Frankel of the Real Housewives of New York captured the third spot on the list with $4 million earned. She's starred in two reality shows already, is currently a contestant on Skating With the Stars, and has a fourth, Bethenny Ever After, set to air next year. She makes most of her money selling books as well, with over 230,000 copies sold of her healthy and lifestyle guides.
Lauren Conrad's former Hills running mate Audrina Patridge came in fourth with $3.5 million in earnings. She just ended a run on Dancing With the Stars and is set to get her own VH1 reality show next year. She's also served as a sexy burger promoter for Carl's Jr, a distinction she shares with Kim Kardashian.
Fellow Dancing With the Stars alum Kate Gosselin also ended up with a $3.5 million haul. She continues her TLC reality show, Kate Plus 8, for which she gets a reported $250,000 per episode. She's also a prolific writer, with four books to her name as well.
The rest of the top ten includes Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino from Jersey Shore, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian, "The Situation's" fist-pounding buddy Pauly D, and former Playmate Kendra Wilkinson.
Selected Reading: Daily Beast, LA Times, MSN


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Precision-made in Japan with enhanced comfort and playability.
Ibanez has enhanced the comfort and playability of the traditional bass guitar design to make the Grooveline G104 the perfect tool that works the groove as part of your body. The ergonomic body shape provides the perfect balance for playing, either sitting or standing.
The Grooveline G104 boasts an alder body with an ash top and back, a beautiful five-piece wenge/bubinga neck, and rosewood fretboard. The neck has six-point bolt-on construction for incredibly solid feel and loads of sustain and resonance. The G104's Tight End bridge, made from solid brass, marries the string and body with no loss of vibration. The top of the bridge is smooth-finished, so if you play hard, it will forgive you and your hands.
The CAP Sonic Arch neck and bridge pickups provide clean, thick bottom end and crystal-clear highs. These single-sized humbuckers with blade polepieces and E4 3-band dedicated EQ deliver well-balanced, traditional tone for any music and style.
Precision-made in Japan
Alder body with ash top/back
Five-piece wenge/bubinga Grooveline 4 neck
Rosewood fretboard
Tight-End bridge, made from solid brass, marries the string and body with no loss of vibration
CAP Sonic Arch pickups
E4 3-band EQ
Cosmo Black hardware


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This is clipped from a blog by Jonathan Jones on The Guardian website, the 1st personal style is the voice of Jonathan's and not Clipped News's.
It seems like only yesterday that Michelangelo Merisi, better known as Caravaggio, was killed by poisonous paints. That was a theory floated in 2010. The latest idea, proposed by yet another "expert" and reported in some papers this week, is that he was assassinated by the Knights of Malta. (more…)


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For more information, or to book,
please contact me at
(906) 458-0999 or
D. Gregor MacGregor III
My excellent pipe music and authentic formal Highland attire help make your event memorable for a lifetime. Let your memories echo with the soul-stirring sounds of the Great Highland Bagpipe.
50 years' experience. Numerous awards in solo competition, as well as with some of the best pipe bands in North America. Studied for years with many of the greatest pipers of the 20th century. Holder of the Institute of Piping's Performance Certification awarded by the National Piping Centre of Glasgow, Scotland.
Guaranteed to be professional, prompt, punctual, absolutely in-tune; an all-around excellent musical experience. Skillfully integrating bagpipe music into wedding ceremonies, memorial services, concerts, and just about any setting imaginable.
Three different pitch varieties: standard, concert B-flat (466) and concert A (440). This allows me to offer accompaniment of virtually any other kind of instrument, which is very rare among highland pipers.
Past engagements include The Chieftains' USA Tour, the Consecration of the Site of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald aboard the USCGC Mackinaw, technical consulting for Scottish music with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the West Shore Symphony Orchestra of Muskegon, and hundreds of weddings and memorial services.
My most frequent type of engagements are destination weddings on Mackinac Island, and in the Petoskey, Charlevoix, Leelanau Peninsula, and Traverse City areas.
High level of skill, experience and quality consistent with international piping standards. Hundreds of tunes of every kind: not only Scottish, but also Irish and other Celtic. If you want a tune I don't already know I will learn it for your event, if it is possible to play it on the pipes.
|Celtic Jewelry
|Piping Assoc
|Piping Schools
|Irish Events
|Pipe Bands
|Wedding Pipers
|Michigan Links
|Piping Books
|Scottish Kilts
|Pipe Maintenance
|Scottish Websites
|Piping Music


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Look at that fucking hipster. With his suspenders, fixed gear bike and ironic mustache. What the hell is he good for? Anything? Yes, actually! Hipsters are fantastic at suggesting good music and that's exactly what this iPhone app does.
Pocket Hipster berates your crappy music taste (which all hipsters do) and suggests indie music to listen to instead. No, seriously. It's hilarious. The little hipster will tell you that "if your taste in music was an animal, it would be a one-winged pigeon with a gammy leg" or that their ears feel violated and you should listen to bands like Smith Western and Best Coast. Only costs a buck to improve your music taste. [iTunes]


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Petrosino Square is a new track and first time lyrical collaboration with Joe Gualtieri. Hepnova co-pilot Nicholas DiBiase and I cut the track over the holidays. It's a somber, shifting, and moody track whose title and inspiration come from the mini park at the crossroads of Little Italy, Chinatown and SoHo where Joe and I would hang out in during the warmer months. Like every Hepnova track, this one draws from various musical influences, from the strong emotional poetry of Björk, to the melodic lyricism of Radiohead, to the moody atmospherics of Massive Attack to the Automator-esque beats of Gorillaz. In any case, I'm a much better composer than music writer, so just check it out and listen already.
"Petrosino Square"
Romantic recrudescence
Far from the burning iridescence
Safe from the searchlights of the past
Witnesses no more, but outlaws at last
You start to tense, begin to brace
As I press the revolver to your face
I see you aflame in this love so heady
Like a bomb thrown by Sacco and Vanzetti
When I saw you there in Petrosino Square
Is this paradise or my worst nightmare?
When the workers arise
I look into your eyes, your beautiful lies
Oh your beautiful eyes/lies
Your eyes your lies
Beautiful eyes/lies
Haven't seen you in awhile and
I'm not sure how to start
Whether to thank or to blame you
For the anarchy in my heart
Your eyes your lies
Beautiful eyes/lies
More new Hepnova tracks on Bandcamp. And even more new music coming soon.


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Authorities say masked robbers broke into a mining museum in California during the daytime and stole gold and gems valued at up to $2 million. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
LOS ANGELES — Robbers wearing masks and goggles broke into a mining museum in California in broad daylight and stole gold and gems valued at up to $2 million, authorities said.
Although no-one has been identified in connection with the burglary, California investigators are searching for at least two suspects.
The masked men broke into the California State Mining and Mineral Museum in Mariposa, California, on Friday afternoon with pickaxes and forced employees into one end of the building, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing a state parks spokesman.
Read the story on NBC station KCRA
But the thieves didn't get away with the biggest prize of all — the nearly 14-pound Fricot Nugget, a giant crystalline gold mass unearthed in the California Gold Rush era. The robbers triggered an alarm as they tried to break into the iron safe where it was held.
According to the museum's website, the Fricot Nugget was discovered in the American River in Northern California in 1864 and is the largest intact mass of crystalline gold remaining from the Gold Rush era.
John Palmer / California State Parks via AP
Authorities say thieves made off with an estimated $2 million in gold and precious gems during the armed robbery at the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, seen in this 2009 photo.
The California State Mining and Mineral Museum is described on its website as offering visitors the chance to explore the variety of the state's mineral wealth and view "breathtaking gems and minerals from around the world."
The California department of parks and recreation issued a statement on Monday saying the museum would be closed "until further notice while repairs are completed."
The statement added that the museum is taking an inventory of the stolen items this week, which will allow it to confirm what was taken and exactly how much the items were worth.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the museum had moved its treasures to an undisclosed location in the meantime.
The burglary was the second theft of this year involving rare, valuable minerals in Northern California. Chunks of gold were stolen from the Siskiyou County courthouse in February.
No suspects have been identified and authorities are investigating whether there is a connection between the two incidents.
NBC News staff and Reuters contributed to this report.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Calif. governor vetoes bill that OK'd towns freeing undocumented immigrants
- Feds: Suspect in multimillion-dollar scam is Harvard law grad
- Pranked teen shines at homecoming ceremony
- Police: No foul play in missing NJ teen Kara Alongi case
- Video: Gearing up for Wednesday's big debate
Follow US News from NBCNews.com on Twitter and Facebook


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Nintendo's releasing a new console soon, in case you haven't heard. And Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime is having lots of important meetings with cartoon characters in order to commemorate the occasion.
Tomorrow at 10am Eastern, Nintendo is holding an event in New York City to announce some big news about the console—including, presumably, the system's release date and pricing. I'll be liveblogging and taking pictures at the scene, but you can also watch a livestream thanks to Mario, Luigi, and their younger brother Reggie.


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Home › Classroom Resources › Lesson Plans
Lesson Plan
Literature Response in Primary Classrooms
|Lesson Plan Type
|Recurring Lesson
|Estimated Time
|Five 50-minute sessions
|Lesson Author
Magalia, California
This is a five step guide for setting up a framework for ongoing written literature response with primary students, especially Kindergarten. Designed to help teachers set the stage for ongling literature response, the procedure begins with drawing/labeling and moves through increasingly complex writing requirements that address higher-order thinking skills and foster student creativity. The lesson uses picture books from one author to model, demonstrate and describe the steps in detail. Ready-to-use templates are included. This recurring lesson assumes that students will be responding to literature in writing on a regular basis throughout the school year, with increasing complexity.
- Read-aloud books
- Literature response templates for Jan Brett books
- Sample Prompts for Literature Response in Primary Classrooms
Writing for young children starts with conversation and other oral language. NCTE (2004) tells us, in their guideline on beliefs about the teaching of writing, that through talk, children figure out how to write, that they decide what to write down through a variety of oral language experiences, including explaining orally what is in a text, whether it is printed or drawn. Further, in Text Talk, Beck & McKeown (2001) show that all questions and responses are not of equal value, and discuss the importance of using open-ended questions in discussions about read-alouds to help students more deeply understand the stories read to them.
In this lesson, oral responses to read-aloud stories precede students written responses to literature. Through conversations and discussions about texts, students are given time to clarify their thoughts, get new ideas from others, and establish a core understanding of fiction texts that enable them to respond to prompts in individual, open-ended ways.
Further Reading
Writing Study Group of the NCTE Executive Committee. 2016. Professional Knowledge for the Teaching of Writing. February 2016. Web. http://www.ncte.org/positions/statements/teaching-writing
Beck, I.L., & McKeown, M.G. (2001). Text Talk: Capturing the benefits of read-aloud experiences for young children. The Reading Teacher, 55, 1020.